Photographic Firearm Apparatus and Method

ABSTRACT

A telescopic firearm scope/sight which is fully integrated with a compact digital camera, and which has size, shape and weight characteristics that are substantially the same as those of a conventional, camera-less telescopic scope, is used to photograph a target proximate the instant at which the target is fired upon. To configure the weapon for photography and firing, the scope is simply placed on the firearm in the same manner as a conventional scope, and the firearm is then fired in the conventional manner. Photographs are recorded, alternatively, in response to the sound of, or the recoil from, the firearm firing. An alternative embodiment eliminates the telescopic sight, but maintains all of the digital photography components, and is particularly useful for smaller-scale firearms such as pistols.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/711,267filed Sep. 7, 2004, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser.No. 10/250,148 filed Jun. 6, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,206 issuedSep. 14, 2004, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No.10/063,033 filed Mar. 13, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,876 issued Jun.17, 2003, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/537,325 filed Mar. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,223 issued Mar.26, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This field relates to the fields of both firearms and photography, anparticularly, relates to an improved device and method for photographinga firearm target in connection with the shooting thereof.

Game hunting is a popular recreational pastime in the United States andmany other countries of the world. Hunters have long prized their killsbeyond their value as food and/or skin, and it is common practice, forexample, to mount the head of a deer or other hunting “kill” on a wallas a trophy, to display one's past successes. Even more interest can beadded, however, if the hunter has a simple, straightforward way tophotograph his or her prey/target just before, during, and/or after thekill, as desired by the hunter.

Even for practice purposes, the ability to photograph a target inconnection with the firing of a shot can assist the hunter to improvehis or her accuracy and adjust his or her rifle scope, by providing anindependent photographic record of what was viewed through the scopejust as a shot was fired, in contrast with where the shot actuallystruck on the target.

The ability to photograph a target in connection with the shootingthereof has possible military and law-enforcement applications as well.For example, the evidentiary record for recent high-profile court casesinvolving controversial shootings of citizens by law-enforcementpersonnel could have been greatly enhanced if the weapons used in theseshootings had produced photographs of the target at the time of theshooting.

Several prior art devices do combine a rifle and rifle scope with aphotographic camera, yet all of these devices have severe limitationsthat make them very cumbersome to use and also limit the flexibility ofthe shooter to precisely determine the timing of the photographicactivity in relation to the firing of the weapon.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,262, for example, discloses a still picture camera(30) mounted onto a special housing (12) which is in turn mounted onto astandard telescopic sight (20). The housing (12) transfers the image ofthe target through the sight (20) to the camera (30) (column 3, lines52-56). The camera (30) is a separate, conventional camera which isactivated to photograph a single still image when the rifle trigger(11B) is pulled to fire a shot, via a cable mechanism (30B) connectingthe trigger (11B) to the shutter release (30A) of the camera (30)(column 4, lines 39-50).

This device requires an unnatural and cumbersome modification to therifle, since one must mount a separate camera housing (12) as well as aseparate camera (30) to the rifle sight (20). This adds extra steps tothe assembly of the rifle, and it substantially alters both the shapeand the weight distribution of the telescopic sight. In addition, thecable connection (30B) between trigger (11B) and shutter release (30A)of the camera (30) adds even further work to the assembly of the rifle,and places a new, potentially interfering device (cable (30B)) in directcontact with the trigger. Further, a trigger-activated approach such asdisclosed in this patent would not enable the hunter to precisely finetune the instant at which the photograph is taken relative to the firingof the shot.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,095 discloses a camera mounting bracket (18) whichsupports a camera (12) in substantially parallel orientation to the lineof sight of the telescopic sight (16). As in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,062,the camera (12) is activated by means of a cable connection (24) to therifle trigger (30) using a plunger-type button (32). This too makessetup more cumbersome, interferes with the trigger, and limits theopportunity to fine tune the instant at which the photograph is takerelative to the actual firing of a shot. By requiring a bracket (18)separate from the sight (16), as well as a separate camera (12), therifle setup remains more cumbersome than a conventional (camera-less)setup, and the shape and weight distribution of the rifle and riflescope are altered. Additionally, since the camera (12) in thisarrangement does not obtain its photographic image through the scope,one further needs to ensure proper camera alignment with respect to theline of sight, and one could not obtain a substantially “exact” replicaof what the hunter saw through the scope just as the shot was fired.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,644, is simply a rifle simulation, wherein thecamera is again trigger activated, and wherein the rifle and scope, whenassembled for photography, is much more cumbersome than a conventionalrifle and scope.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,545,356; 3,785,261; 3,911,451; 4,936,190; 4,970,589;and 5,285,273 all appear to combine a telescope and camera site with afirearm, however, they lack sequential timing for photography and therecording of photographic information at specified time intervals.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a means and method fortaking pictures of a target proximate the instant at which a shot isfired from a weapon that does not require any connection to oractivation from the rifle trigger.

It would further be desirable to eliminate the need for a separatecamera and camera housing.

It would further be desirable to take these pictures through afully-integrated photographic rifle scope that combines all necessarytelescopic and photographic components into a complete, compact unitarydevice that is substantially identical in shape and weight distributionto a conventional, camera-less rifle scope.

It would further be desirable to enable the shooter to fine tune withprecision, the exact instant at which the target photograph is taken inrelation to the firing of the rifle.

It would further be desirable to enable a weapon such as a pistol, whichdoes not ordinarily have a telescopic scope, to nevertheless takephotographs of its target at or near the time of shooting.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is a telescopic riflescope/sight which is fully integrated with a compact digital camera, andwhich has size, shape and weight characteristics that are substantiallythe same as those of a conventional, camera-less telescopic scope. Toconfigure the weapon for photography and firing, the scope is simplyplaced on the rifle in the same manner as a conventional scope withoutany additional steps, and the rifle is then fired in the conventionalmanner.

An alternative embodiment of the invention eliminates the telescopicrifle scope, but maintains the compact digital camera. This embodimentis particularly useful in combination with pistols and similarsmall-scale firearms which ordinarily do not include a telescopic scope,and in which the shooter views the target directly without the aid of ascope. To configure the weapon for this embodiment, the digital cameraand other related components are simply placed on the pistol or similarfirearm using a suitable mount. Alternatively, a pistol or similarfirearm can be manufactured at the outset to include the digital cameraand the other related components of this embodiment.

In the telescopic sight embodiments, the compact digital camera ispreferably initiated by an infrared detector which detects body heatfrom the hunter's face when the rifle is moved into position for firingand the hunter's eye is moved into position for viewing thorough thescope. Once initiated, the digital camera photographs a series of imagesspaced apart from one another by fractions of a second (i.e., at a givenframe rate such as, for example, 30 frames per second), and stores theseimages in an image memory. The hunter then pulls the trigger and firesthe rifle in the conventional way. Once the shot is fired, an acousticdetector, or, alternatively, an acceleration detector detects either thesharp sound of the firing or the recoil due to the firing, and sends asignal to the digital camera to permanently record one or more of theimages it contains.

In the embodiments that eliminate the telescopic scope, initiationpreferably takes place by detecting the removal of the pistol from itsholster or other concealed location, using optical or kinetic detectionmeans.

By timing the recording of the photograph with reference to the actualcrack of the firing, or the actual recoil of the firing, and by havinginformation on the distance of the target and the speed of theammunition, this device enables the hunter to fine tune the preciseinstant at which a photograph is recorded relative to both the firing ofthe weapon and the bullet striking its target. Further, no cumbersomeand interfering connection need be established between trigger andcamera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth in theappended claims. The invention, however, together with further objectsand advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing(s) in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a photographic and telescopic rifle scopeaccording to a first primary embodiment of the invention, with schematicillustration of its various components.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the photographic components of this riflescope according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the photographic rifle scope according to theembodiment of FIG. 1 as mounted for use on a rifle or similar firearm.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a digital camera and its related components,according to a second primary embodiment of the invention whicheliminates the telescopic scope aspects of FIG. 1 but maintain maintainsall other aspects thereof, with schematic illustration of its variouscomponents.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the photographic components of theembodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as mounted for use ona pistol or similar firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate the photographic firearm apparatus 1 of twoprimary embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 1, a target image 100 issighted through photographic firearm apparatus 1 including a telescopicscope, and light from that image travels through photographic firearmapparatus 1 along the direction indicated by arrows of line 101. Imagedelivery means 102 such as—but not limited to—a split prism similar tothat employed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,262 (as component 16 therein) has areflective surface on one side, and allows target image 100 to passthrough to the hunter's eye 103 along line 104, and also to be reflectedupward along line 105 and delivered into a digital photography means106. It is understood that someone of ordinary skill in the optical artsmay utilize equally-suitable means to deliver target image 100 todigital photography means 106, within the scope of this disclosure andits associated claims. This embodiment of FIG. 1 is particularly suitedto rifles and other large, ling-range forearms.

FIG. 4 eliminates the telescopic scope of FIG. 1, but maintains all ofthe other elements. Target image 100 is sighted directly by the shooterwithout viewing the target through any type of scope. This is theconventional practice, for example, in firing a pistol rather than arifle. Thus, image delivery means 102 such as a split prism is notnecessary, since the image traveling along line of sight 101 need not bedelivered to both the hunter's eye 103 and digital photography means106, but only to digital photography means 106. The image presented todigital photography means 106 may still be a telescopic (magnified)image, or not, as desired. But the key difference between FIG. 1 andFIG. 4 is that in FIG. 1, target image 100 is viewed by the shooterthrough photographic firearm apparatus 1, while in FIG. 4 it is vieweddirectly by the shooter without the aid of photographic firearmapparatus 1. So in FIG. 4, it is only necessary that target image 100 bedelivered to digital photography means 106.

When photographic firearm apparatus 1 is mounted to a large, long-rangefirearm 3 such as a rifle with conventional mounting hardware 31 andtrigger 32 as shown in FIG. 3, an infrared detector 101 (such as heatdetectors well-known in the art) located proximate the viewing end ofphotographic firearm apparatus 1 detects a change in nearby heat due tothe proximity of infrared detector 101 to the hunter's face, andconsequently activates (108) photography means 106, in a preferredembodiment. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the hunter uses amanual switch 109 to activate (108) photography means 106. Infrareddetector 101 may also comprise a retinal detector (such retinaldetectors are an elemental component known in the art) which detect thepresence of a human eye, so that activation only takes place oncesomeone looks through the rifle scope.

When photographic firearm apparatus 1 is used in connection with a smallshort-range firearm 3 such as a pistol as shown in FIG. 6, an opticalelement 402 detecting a change in the light striking photographicfirearm apparatus 1 when it is removed from a holster or other concealedlocation activates (108) photography means 106. Alternatively, asuitable motion detector 404 can be used to detect the kinetic motion offirearm 3 as it is being drawn, and to thereby activate (108)photography means 106. Manual switch 109 also remains an option toactivate (108) photography means 106. Alternatively, a pressure sensor406 can be used to detect when the firearm handle is being gripped witha predetermined pressure, to activate (108) photography means 106. Notethat pressure sensor 406 is also illustrated in connection with thepistol handle of FIG. 6, so that FIGS. 4 and 6 together schematicallyillustrate that the pressure detected on the grip (FIG. 6) causes thephotography means 106 to be activated (FIG. 4). Alternatively, anelectronic sensor 408 can be used to detect when the firearm is beingremoved from a holster or other concealed location, to activate (108)photography means 106. For example, not limitation, the holster caninclude a magnet, and the electronic sensor 408 can include a magneticsensor. When firearm 3 is removed from its holster, the magnetic sensoris removed from proximate the magnetic field, and this removal from themagnetic field causes electronic sensor 408 to signal for activation(108) of photography means 106. Other substitutions or equivalents forall of the above detectors are also considered to be within the scope ofthis disclosure and its associated claims. Similarly, use of theaforementioned sensors, as appropriate, is considered to be within thedisclosure and associated claims for both a long-range firearm such as arifle, and a short-range forearm such as a pistol; in short, for allfirearms for which a given detector is sensible. These detectors shallbe referred to collectively as activation detectors which detect somespecified condition and activate 108 photography means 106 in responsethereto.

FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate in further detail, the configuration andoperation of digital photography means 106, for both primaryembodiments. In its preferred embodiments, digital photography means 106makes use of digital photographic technologies that have been developedin the recent years. The principles and operational methods for thesetechnologies are well known in the art.

Once digital photography means 106 is activated (108), reflected image105 in FIG. 1, or the input target image traveling along 101 as in FIG.4, passes through a photographic lens 20 and is captured onto a digitalimaging array 21 comprising a series of light-sensitive computer chips,as known in the art. At present, the two types of chip most widely usedin digital imaging arrays such as 21 are charge-coupled devices (CCD)and complimentary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS). It is recognized,however, that new or improved digital imaging arrays 21 may be developedin the future the use of which, in accordance with this invention, wouldbe fully encompassed by this disclosure and its associated claims.

Once light from the target image 100 strikes imaging array 21, theelectrical charge generated thereby is then analyzed and translated intoa digital image by an imaging processor 22, as known in the art.Optionally, as part of image processing (22) the image can be “flipped”to compensate for the parity reversal that takes place when it isreflected off of split prism 102 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Thisprocessed digital image is in turn saved into an image memory 23. Theimage memory 23 can be an on-board memory (e.g., non-removable), or itcan be removable (e.g., a removable memory card). There are of course awide range of computer disk-type storage devices known in the art (e.g.,hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, miniature memory cards, solidstate devices, etc.) which can be used to provide image memory 23. As iscommon in the art, images stored in image memory 23 can be erased asdesired, and thus the storage space of memory 23 can be reusedindefinitely, as desired. That is, image memory 23 is a read/writememory in the conventional fashion. Similarly, specified images can bemarked to be saved, i.e., protected from deletion until the programmertakes further action to delete them. Photography means 106 is of coursepowered overall by a power source 24, which may be a battery or similarpower source known and used in the art to power digital cameras.

Once a single image has been produced, i.e., captured (21), processed(22) and stored (23) as described, a second image, and subsequentimages, are similarly produced at fixed, small time intervals. Commonvariables in digital photography include the frame rate (i.e., how manystill images are produced, per second), resolution (i.e., pixeldensity), and storage capacity (i.e., how many distinct still images canbe stored in image memory 23, which in turn depends, among other things,on frame rate and resolution). These variables depend on the specificcomponents used for each of imaging array 21, processor 22 and imagememory 23, and for a purchaser of a digital photography device, thesewill in turn be related to cost. However, it is well within the abilityof presently-available, off-the-shelf digital photography technology torecord at 30 frames per second, capture over 500,000 color pixels, andstore several thousand distinct still images. For purposes of thediscussion to follow—but not to limit the disclosure or claims in anyway—it is assumed that 30 still images per second are captured (21),processed (22) and stored (23), and that the image memory 23 is capableof storing at least several (e.g., five) seconds worth of still images(hence, approximately 150 stills), at whatever resolution is desired.

When firearm 3 with photographic firearm apparatus 1 is raised forfiring and photography means 106 is activated (108) as described above(heat 101, manual 109, optical 402 or kinetic 404), imaging array 21,processor 22 and image memory 23 begin to capture (21), process (22) andstore (23) images of the target at—for example only—the rate of 30frames per second. The shooter can, optionally, save this entirephotographic sequence as a moving, camcorder version of his or hershooting experience, by switching the photographic firearm apparatusinto “camcorder” mode. However, if the shooter is primarily interestedin saving selected still photographs of the shooting, then the actualfiring of the weapon defines the critical reference time relative towhich these selected still photographs are to be identified. Thus, forexample, the shooter may wish to save still photographs taken while thetarget is sighted through photographic firearm apparatus 1, before theshot is fired. Or, the shooter may desire to save photographs taken justafter the shot is fired, but before impact. Or, for macabre tastes, theshooter may wish to preserve a picture showing the precise moment ofimpact. In all events, the moment of firing establishes time “zero,” andthe still photographs to be preserved will be defined either at xseconds before firing (zero minus x) or at x seconds after firing (zeroplus x). Whatever preferences the hunter may have in this regard (e.g.,camcorder moving picture option, still photographs at specified timesbefore or after firing), these are programmed by programming means 115into a timing control computer 110, the operation of which will bedescribed in further detail below.

In the prior art discussed earlier, a plunger is placed proximate therifle trigger 32, and the physical pulling of the trigger 32 alsoactivates the plunger, which in turn activates the camera via aconnecting cable. According to the present invention, this form ofactivation is discarded in favor of a firing detector to detect when around actually has been fired, using either recoil or acousticdetection. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the firing detector is anacceleration detector 111 such as an accelerometer (includingmicro-electro-mechanical chip-based accelerometers). In an alternativepreferred embodiment, the firing detector is an acoustic detector 112(such as a decibel meter) which detects a sudden elevation of soundlevel due to the firing of the weapon. In either event, the firingdetector detects the precise moment at which the rifle recoils fromfiring, or creates a sharp sound from firing, and this information isprovided via a firing signal (shown by unnumbered arrows from 111 and112) to timing control computer 110. Timing control computer 110 is inturn interconnected and exchanges information with digital photographymeans 106, to identify which still photograph was recorded at time zero,and hence, to relate all other prior and subsequent stored photographswith respect to time zero. By using actual sound or motion detection inthis way, the instant of firing is defined more precisely than by usinga manual plunger near the trigger 32, due to variations which will occurin plunger positioning and in trigger sensitivity. In the alternativewhere acoustic detector 112 is used, it is preferred to provide thisdetector with sound shielding and to provide highest sensitivityorientation toward the housing from which the firing sound emanates.This minimizes the chance of a “false” firing being detected from othernoises, e.g., the firing of a nearby weapon by someone else in the sameshooting party.

Once firearm 3 has been fired and time zero established based on thisactual firing, timing control computer 110 utilizes data pre-programmed(115) by the shooter to determine which images in memory 23 are to besaved for permanent reproduction, and which may be erased so that thestorage space they occupy can be later reused for other images. Theprogramming (115) of timing control computer 110 can be achieved in avariety of ways all of which will be obvious to someone of ordinaryskill. A few examples are provided below for illustration, notlimitation.

Generally, the saving/identification of still photographs in memory 23for permanent reproduction will proceed based on the time of firing(time zero), and/or the time of impact (time zero, plus bullet traveltime from rifle to impact). Additionally, to supplement the above, anoptional viewing monitor 113 which is either attached directly to or canbe plugged into photographic firearm apparatus 1 is used to manuallysequence through and view images stored in memory 23, so that images tobe saved and discarded can be manually specified. And, as noted earlier,the option exists to simply maintain the entire recorded sequence as amoving picture. Finally, photographic firearm apparatus 1 can be used asan ordinary digital camera by itself, independent of any shootingactivities, by adding a standard camera activation switch 116 toinitiate capture (21), processing (22) and storage (23) of a singlestill image. In this way, the shooter has the means readily available totake an ordinary digital photograph of a target image that he or she maynot otherwise wish to fire ammunition at, without toting along an addedcamera.

To save images based on time of firing, the shooter preprograms computer110 to establish how long before, or how long after firing of the riflethe desired photographs are to be. For example, a typical rifle has alock time (the time between pulling of trigger 32 and discharge of therifle) of approximately 7 milliseconds. If the shooter desires topreserve the photograph taken just as the trigger 32 is pulled, thencomputer 110 would be programmed for zero minus 0.007 seconds. Thiswould identify and mark for permanent reproduction, the still frametaken at substantially 0.007 seconds before the recoil or sharp acousticexcitation from firing was detected. This also serves to avert theblurring of images that would naturally occur while firearm 3 is inrecoil. If the shooter wishes save the images photographed, say, 0.1second after firing (which provides time for the firearm to bestabilized after recoil and therefore for a non-blurred image to berecorded), then computer 110 is programmed for zero plus 0.1 seconds. Ingeneral, if t designates how long before (negative t) or after (positivet) firing time zero the desired image is to be, if f designates therecording frame rate (number of frames per second), and if i designatesan image number, where the image recorded at firing is image numberzero, images before firing are designated by a negative integer, andimages after firing are designated by a positive integer, then imagenumber of the desired image to be saved for permanent recording iseasily calculated generally to be:i=t×f,   (1)

with appropriate rounding as necessary.

To save images in relation to the time of target impact, two additionalparameters must be known, namely, the distance from the rifle to thetarget, and the (average) speed of the bullet over that target distance.

The target distance can, of course, be estimated by the shooter andprogrammed into computer 110. Alternatively, a distance detector 114such as a laser range detector is integrated into photographic firearmapparatus 1, as is already known and often practiced in the art.Distance detector 114 bounces a finely-tuned laser signal off target 100and detects the return of that signal to the firearm. Based on the totaltravel time of the signal and the known speed of that signal, distancedetector 114 can thus detect the distance to target 100. This distance,d, once known, is provided as input to computer 110.

The (average) bullet speed, s, can also be determined by the shooter andprogrammed into computer 110. Ordinarily, this is done by means of aballistics table, in which the bullet speed is a function of the firearmcaliber, the bullet type and weight, and the target distance (since theaverage speed is decreased for longer flight distance). Alternatively,appropriate ballistics information is pre-programmed into computer 110,so that the shooter merely specifies the firearm caliber and the bullettype/weight, with target distance provided by distance detector 114.

Thus, with distance d and speed s known, the travel time t=t_(travel)from firing to impact is t_(travel)=d/s, and so, combining this with eq.1, the image number of the image recorded at impact isi=(d/s)×f,   (2)

with appropriate rounding. So if the shooter desires, for example, topermanently save the image t1 seconds before (negative t1) or after(positive t1) impact, i.e., t=t_(travel)+t1 seconds after firing, theimage number to be saved is determined, using eqs. 1 and 2, accordingto:i=(d/s+t1)×f,   (3)

again, with appropriate rounding.

As noted earlier, optional viewing monitor 113 serves to furthersupplement all of the above. Thus, for example, if the shooterdesignates the desired photographs to be those taken 0.2 seconds beforeimpact (t1=−0.2), computer 110 might identify the still photograph takenmost closely to this specified time, display this photograph up onmonitor 113, and enable the shooter to then scroll forward or backwardthrough other photographs taken just after or before this photograph.Then, with the range of photographs narrowed, the shooter can manuallyreview the photographs to make a final determination which are to besaved for printing. Similarly, it is not required that the shooterspecify the desired times before firing the weapon. So long as therecordings are made in the manner described above, and the (zero) timeof firing is established, the shooter can always choose photographsafter firing by asking for the photograph that was already taken, e.g.,0.3 seconds before impact, or 0.2 seconds before firing, etc., asdesired.

Finally, once the desired photograph or photographs have been identifiedand saved according to the various procedures outlined above, all thatremains is the permanent recording or printing of those photographs. Asnoted earlier, while a wide range of storage media are suitable forimage memory 23, that memory is generally either an on-board,non-removable memory, or it is removable (e.g., a removable memorycard). If image memory 23 is non-removable, then the desired images aredownloaded to a computer and/or printer via an download adapter 25,using devices and methods well-known in the art. If image memory 23 isremovable, then an appropriate removable card or disk 26 is removed fromthe photographic firearm apparatus 1 as depicted, and then connected fordownloading to a computer and/or printer, again, using devices andmethods well-known in the art. Once the desired photographs have beenprinted or otherwise recorded in a download device or medium separatefrom photographic firearm apparatus 1, the storage locations storing theoriginal images in the photographic firearm apparatus's image memory 23can be erased and reused, as known in the art.

The fact that imaging processor 22 and timing control computer 110 havebeen illustrated herein as two distinct devices does not in any wayforeclose the possibility of combining these into a single computer orprocessor as one mode of practicing this invention. This separation ishelpful simply as a way of observing that certain processing functionsstandard to all digital photography are conducted by imaging processor22, and that certain other timing and image selection functionsspecifically required for this invention but not generally needed fordigital photography are conducted by timing control computer 110. Again,however, one of ordinary skill can readily combine these processors, aswell as any memories needed to support their operation, into a singlecomputing / processing device.

Further, while imaging processor 22and timing control computer 110perform various processing functions as described above, it is certainlypossible to perform some of the processing steps (e.g., flipping theimage, removal or addition or crosshairs, etc.) using an externalcomputer, after the desired images have been downloaded (25) or removed(26). Color, brightness, contrast, sharpness, and many other features ofthe photographs can easily be modified using computerized imageprocessing techniques that are well-known in the art. The fact that someprocessing functions may be carried on externally, rather thaninternally to photographic firearm apparatus 1, is obvious, and is fullyconsidered to be within the scope of this invention.

Finally, it is to be observed that FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 schematicallyillustrate the operation of this invention by showing novelinterrelationships among known elements such as digital imaging array21, imaging processor 22, image memory 23, digital photography means106, timing control computer 110, accelerometer 111, acoustic detector112, etc., so as to yield the invention as a whole disclosed and claimedherein. The actual physical positions of these various elements withinthe photographic firearm apparatus can be varied as desired to optimizecompactness, weight balance, component interrelationships, etc., and sothe specific positioning illustrated in these figures should not beconsidered to limit this disclosure and its claims with respect to themany options available for practicing this invention.

The net result, illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 6, is that this inventionallows the photographic and timing elements described above to be fullyand completely integrated into a unitary photographic firearm apparatus1 that is attached (31) to a firearm 3 and used during shooting just asany ordinary rifle scope or pistol attachment, without any additionalsteps. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, photographic firearm apparatus 1 isuniversally adaptable to a wide variety of rifles to the same degree asany conventional scope. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, photographicfirearm apparatus 1 attaches 31 through any of a variety of mountingmeans that would be obvious to someone of ordinary skill, to a pistol orsimilar small firearm. Alternatively, photographic firearm apparatus 1can be manufactured as part of the rifle, pistol or other firearm at theoutset, rather than as a separate add-on unit for later attachment.

There is no cumbersome interference with or connection required to thefirearm trigger 32, because of the combination with acoustical and/orrecoil detection rather than a physical plunger and cable. The use ofcompact digital photography components enables all photographiccomponents to be tightly integrated and embodied into a singlephotographic firearm apparatus 1 without materially altering thephotographic firearm apparatus's size, weight distribution, or shape,which in turn contributes to the fact that photographic firearmapparatus 1 can be attached and used in hunting just like a conventionalscope (FIG. 3), or can be easily mounted to a pistol or small firearm(FIG. 6). Cumbersome camera adapters, separate cameras, and interferingtriggering cables are totally avoided. Additionally, these digitalphotography elements, in combination with acoustical and/or recoildetection, enable the very exact photographic precision described above,which cannot be achieved by a conventional film/chemically-based camera,or by manual triggering of the camera via a plunger and cable.

While this disclosure refers throughout to a rifle or pistol, and to aphotographic firearm apparatus, it is understood that this invention canbe applied generally to any firearm which utilizes a scope for viewingthe target, as well as, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 6, to anyfirearm that does not use a scope, but instead relies on direct line ofsight. While this disclosure discusses the use of this device inconnection with hunting or shooting (or target practice), it isunderstood that other applications are also envisioned within the scopeof this disclosure. For example, a police department may wish to monitorthe use of weapons by its officers by requiring them to utilize thephotographic features of this invention whenever a weapon is fired at asuspect being pursued. Similar use can be envisioned for militaryapplications. And, indeed, this invention can be utilized in anysituation where it may be desired or required to capture a photographicrecord of the discharge of a firearm.

As is known in the art, a firearm 3 such as a pistol may optionallycomprise a laser 61 which emits a sharp laser beam 62 toward the targetand casts a “spot” of light on the target near where the bullet isexpected to impact, as a means of enhancing shooting accuracy. The useof such a laser 61 as part of firearm 3, or as part of photographicfirearm apparatus 1, in combination with the other features of theinvention as disclosed, is fully considered to be within the scope ofthis invention and its associated claims.

While only certain preferred features of the invention have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes will occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the invention.

1. A firearm apparatus, comprising: a laser for emitting a laser beam tostrike a target to enhance firing accuracy toward said target; anddigital photography means for creating an evidentiary record inconnection with firing said apparatus at said target struck by saidlaser beam; and an activation detector activating said digitalphotography means in response to detecting a specified condition.
 2. Theapparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising a pressuredetector activating said digital photography means in response to saidspecified condition comprising detecting a pressure applied to saidfirearm.
 3. The apparatus of [claim 2], said pressure detectoractivating said digital photography means in response to said pressurebeing applied to a grip of said firearm.
 4. The apparatus of [claim 1],said activation detector comprising a manual switch activating saiddigital photography means in response to said specified conditioncomprising detecting activation of said manual switch.
 5. The apparatusof [claim 4], said manual switch activating said digital photographymeans in response to said activation being applied to a grip of saidfirearm.
 6. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detectorcomprising a heat detector activating said digital photography means inresponse to said specified condition comprising detecting a change innearby heat.
 7. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detectorcomprising an optical detector activating said digital photography meansin response to said specified condition comprising detecting a change inlight striking said optical detector.
 8. The apparatus of [claim 1],said activation detector comprising a motion detector activating saiddigital photography means in response to said specified conditioncomprising detecting a motion of said firearm.
 9. The apparatus of[claim 1], said activation detector comprising an electronic detectoractivating said digital photography means in response to said specifiedcondition comprising detecting a change in an electronic conditioncaused by displacing said firearm.
 10. The apparatus of [claim 1], saidactivation detector comprising a retinal detector activating saiddigital photography means in response to said specified conditioncomprising detecting a human eye proximate thereto.
 11. A method forrecording photographs in connection with the firing of a firearm,comprising the steps of: activating a digital photography means forcreating an evidentiary record in connection with firing said apparatusat a target struck by a laser beam, in response to detecting a specifiedcondition; striking said target with said laser beam to enhance firingaccuracy toward said target; capturing images of said target struck bysaid laser beam, in connection with firing said apparatus at saidtarget, using said digital photography means activated by saidactivation detector.
 12. The method of [claim 11], said specifiedcondition comprising detecting a pressure applied to said firearm. 13.The method of [claim 12], said pressure being applied to a grip of saidfirearm.
 14. The method of [claim 11], specified condition comprisingactivation of a manual switch of said firearm.
 15. The method of [claim14], said activation being applied to a grip of said firearm, said gripcomprising said manual switch.
 16. The method of [claim 11], saidspecified condition comprising detecting a change in nearby heat. 17.The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising detectinga change in light striking said optical detector.
 18. The method of[claim 11], said specified condition comprising detecting a motion ofsaid firearm.
 19. The method of [claim 11], said specified conditioncomprising detecting a change in an electronic condition caused bydisplacing said firearm.
 20. The method of [claim 11], said specifiedcondition comprising detecting a human eye proximate to a retinaldetector.